California Region

Mission Advancement Egram

October 28, 2022

One Heart. One Hope. One Mission.

MESSAGE FROM MISSION ADVANCEMENT

...congratulating our new congregational leaders

Sr. Mary Ann Culpert (left) was elected as the eleventh Superior General on Saturday, October 15. She is shown with Sr. Kristin Battles following the election. Originally from the Toledo, Ohio Province, Sr. Mary Ann has most recently served on the General Council. She was present in California for the Global Update with Sr. Kristin and Sr. Kathleen Burns in September, 2021. Read more.

Sr. Mary Kathleen Burns (on the right) from the California region was re-elected as an assistant general for the Sisters of Notre Dame during this General Chapter.

Previously, Sr. Kathleen served as novice director for SND USA and in adult faith formation and parish ministries, primarily at St. Cornelius Parish in Long Beach. Also shown in this photo are Sr. Valerie Marie Roxburgh, an elected delegate to the General Chapter, and Sr. Kristin Battles, outgoing Superior General.

The sisters elected to lead the congregation for the next 6 years include: Sr. Mary Karuna Matthew (India), Sr. Maria Nonata de Aguiar Bezerra (Brazil), Sr. Mary Kathleen Burns (United States), Sr. Marie So-Wha Kwak (So. Korea), Sr. Mary Prabha Jesudhason (India), and Sr. Mary Ann Culpert (United States). It is interesting to note that both Sr. So-Wha and Sr. Prabha lived in the California region over the years.

Dear Friends,

This month of October found the Sisters of Notre Dame embarking on the next chapter of our 172-year history with the election of the new General Government. Sr. Mary Ann Culpert sent this message to everyone in our SND family. Follow this link to learn more about the assistants general.

The theme of the chapter was to renew the face of the earth and to cultivate a culture of encounter and caring. We can look forward to new directions that the chapter has identified and how these will inspire the SNDs, our Associates, and colleagues to respond to the ever-new call of God.

As we enter November, a cherished season of Thanksgiving, the Sisters of Notre Dame offer our profound and heartfelt gratitude to each of you. You are our partners in mission through your encouragement, prayer, and generosity. As stated in Article 3 of our Constitutions, "Impelled by a missionary spirit, we respond to the needs of the times and share God’s compassionate love with people of all faiths and cultures, particularly those who are poor and marginalized." May you always feel God's blessings as you share this mission with us!

Blessings always,

Sr. Lisa Megaffin, S.N.D.

Director of Mission Advancement Services

PS--We also look forward to welcoming Sr. Kristin back to the California region in the near future. We have been inspired by her leadership of the congregation over the past 12 years!

FROM THE CALIFORNIA GRAPEVINE

SND Sponsored Schools Earn Recognition

Notre Dame Academy Schools of Los Angeles was voted #1 Best of the Westside 2022 through The Argonaut. This year’s Best of the Westside issue of The Argonaut acknowledges the dedication, hard work and perseverance of everyone in the community. The Argonaut readership includes Marina del Rey, Playa del Rey, Playa Vista, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Westchester, Venice and Santa Monica.

For the second consecutive year, La Reina High School & Middle School received the Readers' Choice award as the Best Private School through the Ventura County Star.

Congratulations for sharing the SND mission far and wide!

Full Circle in the World of SND Education

The National Sponsorship and Network Office is connecting schools with an SND Prayer Partner. Sr. Mary Amy Hauck is currently a Prayer Partner for St . Pius X - St . Matthias Academy in Downey.

A 1968 alumna from St. Matthias, one of Sr. Mary Amy's teachers was Miss Janice Leal, who later became Mrs. Janice Bass. Years later when Sr. Mary Amy was teaching at St. Rose of Lima School in Maywood, Janice's daughter, Mary Frances, was one of her students. Now Mary Frances is a religion teacher at St. Pius X - St. Matthias Academy. Sr. Mary Amy commented "It seems like we have come full circle. At our Jubilee celebration in 2021, it was a joy to see Mary Frances and Janice once again, both of them carrying that distinguishing mark of Notre Dame."

Fostering religious vocations in young hearts...

The SNDs are grateful for a fun-filled “Vocation Dinner” sponsored by the second grade at St. Jude the Apostle School in Westlake Village on Oct. 25. The students choose an Italian menu, decorated placemats, acted as servers, planned discussion starters, and engaged the SNDs and clergy in lively conversations. After the dinner, there were games of tic-tac-toe.

Special thanks, also, to the second grade parents and faculty for providing their guidance and support for this venture!

Follow this link for additional photos.

Serving the people of God

California Associate Prudiel Libatique received an Excellence in Catechetical Service Award from the Office of Religious Education of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. He serves as the coordinator of RCIA for St. Peter Claver Parish in Simi Valley. Those who nominated Prudiel noted that he "goes way above and beyond to accompany those on their journey of faith to becoming fully initiated Catholics. Prudiel is also working to bring ALPHA to our parish. He is a Virtus Workshop Presenter as well. He continues to attend workshops and seminars, paying for himself and using his vacation time...he is a faith-filled, kind, committed person leading others to Christ."

Teresa Runyon, a La Reina High School alumna, was recently commissioned as pastoral associate of Padre Serra Parish in Camarillo. Teresa has served there as faith life minister. She also has spent nearly three decades in parishes throughout the archdiocese, as a volunteer, a catechist, and administrator. Encouraged by Father Patrick Mullen, Padre Serra’s pastor, Teresa enrolled at St. John’s Seminary, and earned her Master of Arts in pastoral ministry last May. In her new role, Teresa will continue working within the parish, more closely involved in day-to-day operations. She called this moment “an affirmation for the call to the laity, to all of us, by a baptismal call, to love God, know God, and serve God.”

The Sisters of Notre Dame offer congratulations and prayerful good wishes

to Prudiel and Teresa as they carry our spirit and mission

into the lives entrusted to their care.

We are pleased to announce that the 2023 Nun Run, scheduled for Saturday, February 3, is off and running! Proceeds from this event underwrite SND outreach to those in need. For complete information regarding registration, running and fundraising teams, and the community service fair, visit www.nun.run. For assistance in setting up a running or fundraising team, just email Jen Coito.

Although the event is three months away, these teams are already formed and jockeying for the winner's circle.

Holy Toledo!

Horan Siblings & Friends

La Reina High School & Middle School

LA Star Steppers

Megaffin's Marathoners

Notre Dame Learning Center Preschool

Our Lady of Peace School

SND Associates

Sr. Cristina's Sunflowers

St. Jude the Apostle School

St. Paschal Baylon School Bears